Despite having evidence the Saudi crown prince directly ordered the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, President Donald Trump tweeted: “Maybe the world should be held accountable, because the world is a vicious place. The world is a very, very vicious place.”

Putting aside his argument the Saudis were great allies and Israel couldn’t exist without them, or they created American jobs and kept the price of gas low, one has to wonder where he would fall on the Milligram Scale.

If he, too, had been tested in Stanley Milligram’s 1974 experiment on obedience and authoritarianism.

Creative Cruelty Or Altruistic Awareness

One has to also ask if he would’ve been more like the Mr. Batta, who displayed indifference, or the generous Mr. Rensaaler. Indeed, and where many recall how Milligram found most Americans would torture people if ordered to do so, even killing them with the maximum voltage of shock if a strong authority pressured them to do so, few remember the others who were either more than pleased to torture and kill or protested and stopped right away. Consequently, human beings are never simply passive objects. Situations and systems do matter, as do their cultural values and practices.

But before discussing how each volunteer experimenter was introduced to a ‘learner’ who was strapped into an electric chair, there were several like Mr. Batta who displayed alarming behavior. Not only did he apply additional electric shock without being asked to do so, but he seemed to take pleasure in the learner’s suffering, pleased at times to have power over his victim. This led Milligram to write: “What is extraordinary is his apparent indifference to the learner: He hardly takes cognizance of him as a human being. Meanwhile he relates to the controller in a submissive and courteous fashion.”1

Yet there were others like Mr. Rensaaler, albeit very few of them. He presumably had experienced the rise of Nazism and German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. Although he obeyed the controller until he reached the 255-volt level, when told he had to continue because he had no choice, he responded with protest. In fact, he indignantly said: “Why don’t I have a choice? I came here of my own free will. I thought I could help in a research project. But if I have to hurt somebody to do that – I can’t continue. I am very sorry, I think I have gone too far already, probably.”2

Standard Submissiveness

Of course most experiments were like Mr. Prozi. Even when the learners stopped crying out, and the experimenters were fearful they were unconscious or even dead, they still obeyed the commands of the controllers. Despite asking if their victims were dead or requesting the controllers to look in on the learners, they still applied the full amount of electric shock that would possibly kill the learner. This led Milligram to remark as well how even if the subjects thought they were causing pain and killing someone, they still acted like a submissive, whimpering child and obeyed the authority figure.

Although Milligram’s conclusions were related to his environment and upbringing, they unfortunately apply equally to all of us – Trump. To be sure, the kind of character produced in American democratic society cannot be counted on to insulate its citizens from brutality and inhumane treatment at the direction of a malevolent authority figure. The same goes for human rights in foreign policy matters, or protecting individuals like Khashoggi. A U.S. citizen, his days were numbered after he had criticized the Saudi crown prince.

They were more so numbered after he criticized the president. Given Trump appears to be a double high authoritarian, he too will attack, eliminate or allow – one way or another – anyone he perceives to be a threat or questions his policies. He will also submit to others if it’s in his best – or business – interest to do so. Irrespective of the content of the act and without limitation of conscience, he’ll do what he’s told, so long as he perceives that command comes from a legitimate authority. In this case, the pressure came from Saudi Arabia and his many future business deals with the crown prince.

Vicious Worldview

But there’s another finding Milligram made which demands our attention. Now known as Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA), and much like Mr. Batta, RWAs share a personality and ideological trait other than a high degree of submissiveness to authorities they perceive as legitimate. Like Trump, they too have a negative view of the world as being a vicious place. This is what led to Mr. Batta’s Us-vs.-Them mentality and enthusiasm to punish his victim and please the controller. Sadly, and through coercion and uniformity, the stage had already been set for torture and murder.

Consequently, and after Trump’s inaction towards Khashoggi’s murder and “The world is vicious” tweet, where would he fall on the Milligram Scale?

(Dallas Darling is the author of Politics 501: An A-Z Reading on Conscientious Political Thought and Action, Some Nations Above God: 52 Weekly Reflections On Modern-Day Imperialism, Militarism, And Consumerism in the Context of John’s Apocalyptic Vision, and The Other Side Of Christianity: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Spirituality, History, and Peace. He is a correspondent for www.WN.com. You can read more of Dallas’ writings at www.beverlydarling.com and www.WN.com/dallasdarling.)

1Innes, Brian. The History of Torture. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1998., p. 9.

WATCH: President Trump holds meeting with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince

The Khashoggi Killing: Trump defends Saudi crown prince over killing

published:23 Nov 2018

The Khashoggi Killing: Trump defends Saudi crown prince over killing

The Khashoggi Killing: Trump defends Saudi crown prince over killing

published:23 Nov 2018

views:3205

US President Donald Trump says there isn\'t enough evidence to blame the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His comments come as France becomes the latest country to put sanctions on 18 Saudi agents believed to have carried out the killing. Reagan Des Vignes reports.
#Khashoggi #Trump #MBS...

The Khashoggi Killing: Trump defends Saudi crown prince over killing

published:23 Nov 2018

views:3205

US President Donald Trump says there isn\'t enough evidence to blame the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His comments come as France becomes the latest country to put sanctions on 18 Saudi agents believed to have carried out the killing. Reagan Des Vignes reports.
#Khashoggi #Trump #MBS...

Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump's Support

published:29 Nov 2018

Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump's Support

Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump's Support

published:29 Nov 2018

views:5499

Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump\'s Support
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Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump's Support

published:29 Nov 2018

views:5499

Saudi Crown Prince MBS: World is Slowly Turning Against Him Even Trump\'s Support
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DISCLAIMER:
Star2Sun is YouTube channel.
The information provided in Star2Sun Videos and accompanying material is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should consult with an attorney or other professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.
Star2Sun does not make any guarantee or other promise as to any results that may be obtained from using our content. No one should make any investment decision without first consulting his or her own financial advisor and conducting his or her own research and due diligence. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Financial Poise disclaims any and all liability in the event any information, commentary, analysis, opinions, advice and/or recommendations prove to be inaccurate, incomplete or unreliable, or result in any investment or other losses.
Content contained on or made available through the website is not intended to and does not constitute legal advice or investment advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed. Your use of the in...

President Trump Meets with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Trump Makes Total Ass Of Himself In Front of Saudi Crown Prince

published:23 Mar 2018

Trump Makes Total Ass Of Himself In Front of Saudi Crown Prince

Trump Makes Total Ass Of Himself In Front of Saudi Crown Prince

published:23 Mar 2018

views:85053

In this Majority Report clip, we watch Donald Trump fawn over Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salmans during his recent U.S. visit.
We need your help to keep providing free videos! Support the Majority Report\'s video content by going to http://www.Patreon.com/MajorityReport
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More: https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/20/politics/donald-trump-mohammed-bin-salman-saudi-crown-prince-russia-iran/index.html
--When Donald Trump stepped into the White House in 2017, the President gave his son-in-law-turned-senior-aide Jared Kushner considerable power in trying to strike a deal for Middle East peace. Enter Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans, another anointed son looking to make a name for himself after his father gave him considerable power.
The two have fostered a close relationship for months, White House officials tell CNN, but, to date, it is Prince bin Salman -- known more informally as MBS -- who has taken his charge and looked to remake the country he will likely someday lead. Kushner, on the other hand, has been ensnared in considerable drama inside the White House and lost some of his standing because of an inability to secure a permanent security clearance.
Even still...

Trump Makes Total Ass Of Himself In Front of Saudi Crown Prince

published:23 Mar 2018

views:85053

In this Majority Report clip, we watch Donald Trump fawn over Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salmans during his recent U.S. visit.
We need your help to keep providing free videos! Support the Majority Report\'s video content by going to http://www.Patreon.com/MajorityReport
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More: https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/20/politics/donald-trump-mohammed-bin-salman-saudi-crown-prince-russia-iran/index.html
--When Donald Trump stepped into the White House in 2017, the President gave his son-in-law-turned-senior-aide Jared Kushner considerable power in trying to strike a deal for Middle East peace. Enter Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans, another anointed son looking to make a name for himself after his father gave him considerable power.
The two have fostered a close relationship for months, White House officials tell CNN, but, to date, it is Prince bin Salman -- known more informally as MBS -- who has taken his charge and looked to remake the country he will likely someday lead. Kushner, on the other hand, has been ensnared in considerable drama inside the White House and lost some of his standing because of an inability to secure a permanent security clearance.
Even still...

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia says his country doesn\'t owe the US a cent in unpaid weapons bills. His remark was a response to Donald Trump, who issued a warning to the Gulf kingdom.
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The crown prince of Saudi Arabia says his country doesn\'t owe the US a cent in unpaid weapons bills. His remark was a response to Donald Trump, who issued a warning to the Gulf kingdom.
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Trump: Saudi crown prince 'denied' knowledge in Khashoggi case

Trump lunches with Saudi deputy crown prince

published:15 Mar 2017

Trump lunches with Saudi deputy crown prince

Trump lunches with Saudi deputy crown prince

published:15 Mar 2017

views:9164

President Donald Trump had lunch with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday (March 14).
It was the first meeting between the powerful son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is spearheading a Saudi economic reform plan, and the U.S. president since Trump came to office in January.
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Trump lunches with Saudi deputy crown prince

published:15 Mar 2017

views:9164

President Donald Trump had lunch with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday (March 14).
It was the first meeting between the powerful son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is spearheading a Saudi economic reform plan, and the U.S. president since Trump came to office in January.
Website: http://timesofoman.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/timesofoman
Twitter: http://twitter.com/timesofoman...

US President Donald Trump says there isn\'t enough evidence to blame the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His comments come as France becomes the latest country to put sanctions on 18 Saudi agents believed to have carri

In this Majority Report clip, we watch Donald Trump fawn over Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salmans during his recent U.S. visit.
We need your help to keep providing free videos! Support the Majority Report\'s video content by going to http://www.Patreon.com/MajorityReport
Watch the Majority Repo

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia says his country doesn\'t owe the US a cent in unpaid weapons bills. His remark was a response to Donald Trump, who issued a warning to the Gulf kingdom.
RT LIVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFAcqaNzNSc
Check out http://rt.com
Subscribe to RT! http://www.youtu

President Donald Trump had lunch with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday (March 14).
It was the first meeting between the powerful son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is spearheading a Saudi economic reform plan, and the U.S. president since Trump ca